Between Storytelling and Social Impact - Similoluwa Ifedayo

 

 

Sometime in July 2019, I attended Daystar Leadership Academy(DLA) to become a better person, student and leader. I was passionate about environmental issues and how the little things I do could make a big difference. I had read countless books, listened to podcasts, and watched movies and numerous documentaries about the impact of climate change on the planet. However, I felt like I wasn't doing enough to create a positive impact.

During one of the training sessions, one of the Coaches, Pst. Sam Adeyemi, spoke about how little things like making use of the waste bin instead of disposing of nylons, papers, and other environmental pollutants on the street of Lagos State could make a big difference in the State. He shared stories about countries that do little things like making proper use of the waste bin and the progress they've made. The session ended with a call to action for Nigerians to reduce their use of plastic bags and stop disposing of nylon and other environmental pollutants on the floor.

Determined to make a difference, I decided to consciously stop disposing of pollutants on the floor. I also engaged in public speaking to talk to more people about the issue. I used social media to spread the word and encourage people to properly dispose of their nylons.  At first, I felt like I wasn't making much progress. But then, something amazing happened.

Storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool for creating change. Some of the best speeches in the world start with a story. It allows us to connect with others, share our experiences, and inspire action. One of the most critical components of effective public speaking is building empathy with your audience and storytelling helps build empathy with your audience. When we can connect with others on an emotional level, we can inspire them to take action and create change. When it comes to social impact, storytelling can be a driving force in creating awareness, inspiring action, and effecting change. In this blog post, we will explore the connection between storytelling and social impact, and how it can be used to create a positive impact on society.

1) Emotional Connection: Storytelling can create an emotional connection between the storyteller and the audience. By sharing personal experiences or stories of those affected by social issues, your audience can better understand the impact of the issue and be inspired to take action. By telling them the challenges you faced and the progress you've made, you can help your audience effect change.

2) Building Empathy: Through storytelling, people can build empathy towards individuals and communities impacted by social issues. This can help break down barriers and create a sense of community that can work towards creating positive change. You can also use visuals to help bring your message to life and make it more relatable to your audience. By using images or videos that depict the issue you're addressing, you can help your audience connect with the issue more tangibly. This can help create empathy and inspire action.

3) Building Trust: When people hear stories from others, it helps build trust and credibility. When individuals or organizations share their own stories, it can create a sense of authenticity and trust that can encourage others to take action. To effect change, you need to share a story. Make use of emotive language. That can help create a powerful emotional response in your audience. By using language that evokes emotions, you can help your audience connect with the issue on a deeper level. This can lead to increased understanding and motivation to effect change.

4) Inspiring Action and Creating Awareness: Storytelling can inspire action by making social issues tangible and actionable. By showing the impact of a social issue and providing solutions, individuals and communities can be motivated to create change. Storytelling can create awareness about social issues that might not be well-known or understood by the public. By sharing stories and experiences, people can learn about issues that they might not have been aware of previously.

5) Shifting Perspectives: Storytelling has the power to shift perspectives and challenge preconceived notions about social issues. By sharing diverse perspectives, stories can help break down stereotypes and create a more nuanced understanding of social issues. By sharing your experiences, you can help others understand the challenges you've faced and the emotions you've experienced. This can help build empathy, shift their perspective and create a deeper connection between you and your audience.

One day, I received a message from Ola, a junior in my school who told me that because of my campaign, he had started using reusable bags, stopped disposing of nylon on the floor and convinced his family and friends to do the same. He thanked me for inspiring him to make a change.

That message from Ola gave me the motivation I needed to keep going. Sometimes, it was challenging because I heard people say that "You are the only one doing it. It wouldn't make a difference." I also had to pick nylon when I noticed people dispose of them on the floor. However, I continued speaking about it and soon, more and more people in my environment started doing the right thing. My friends also became very conscious of me and took care of their nylons properly.

This made me realise that one person could make a difference and inspire others to do the same. It showed me that even small actions could lead to big changes and that it all started with a single step. By taking action and inspiring others, we can work towards a better, more sustainable world. Imagine if you and the people you know stop disposing of nylons on the streets of Lagos, things would be better.

Conclusively, storytelling is an essential tool for creating social impact. It helps create emotional connections, build empathy, and inspire action. By sharing personal experiences and stories, people can create awareness, build trust, and shift perspectives. Storytelling can be used in various forms, such as through speeches, social media, or even personal conversations. You can talk about the problems that need to be solved with your friends. Start from the stage you have. Also actively listen to their opinions. By actively listening to your audience's concerns and experiences, you can better understand their perspective and create a deeper connection. This can help you tailor your message to their needs and inspire them to take action. By harnessing the power of storytelling, individuals and communities can work towards creating a better, more inclusive society. Share your story today.